U.S. patent application number 14/774015 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-28 for recording medium changer and control method.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is SONY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hideaki NOGUCHI, Wataru NONAKA, Osamu SHIMIZU.
Application Number | 20160027464 14/774015 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51658087 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160027464 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NONAKA; Wataru ; et
al. |
January 28, 2016 |
RECORDING MEDIUM CHANGER AND CONTROL METHOD
Abstract
A conveying block 20 for conveying recording mediums between
slots 15 and a drive block 16 is provided with a recording medium
delivery block 50 for delivering the recording mediums to and from
the slots 15 or the drive block 16, an extendable and retractable
rail portion for moving the recording medium delivery block to a
desired slot, and a control block 17 for controlling extension and
retraction operation of the rail portion 31. The control block 17
determines whether the slots 15 are provided in an expansion area
provided in an extending direction of the rail portion 31, and when
the slots 15 are provided in the expansion area, the rail portion
31 is extended so that the recording medium delivery block 50 is
moved to the desired slot in the expansion area. The recording
mediums are efficiently stored for changer operation.
Inventors: |
NONAKA; Wataru; (Tokyo,
JP) ; SHIMIZU; Osamu; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
NOGUCHI; Hideaki; (Kanagawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SONY CORPORATION |
Minato-Ku, Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
51658087 |
Appl. No.: |
14/774015 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
February 17, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/053612 |
371 Date: |
September 9, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
369/178.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 17/04 20130101;
G11B 15/6835 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G11B 17/04 20060101
G11B017/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 5, 2013 |
JP |
2013-079869 |
Claims
1. A recording medium changer comprising: a plurality of slots for
storing recording mediums; a drive for performing operation using a
recording medium; a recording medium delivery mechanism having a
conveying mechanism for conveying the recording mediums between the
plurality of slots and the drive, and a conveying mechanism control
portion for controlling the operation of the conveying mechanism;
the conveying mechanism for delivering the recording mediums to and
from the slots or the drive; and an extendable and retractable rail
portion for moving the recording medium delivery mechanism to a
desired slot, the conveying mechanism control portion determining
whether the slot is provided in an expansion area provided in an
extending direction of the rail portion to perform extension and
retraction operation of the rail portion based on a result of the
determination.
2. The recording medium changer according to claim 1 wherein, when
the slots are provided in the expansion area, and the recording
medium delivery mechanism delivers a recording medium to and from a
slot in the expansion area, the conveying mechanism control portion
extends the rail portion.
3. The recording medium changer according to claim 1, wherein, when
the conveying mechanism is moved, the conveying mechanism control
portion retracts the rail portion.
4. The recording medium changer according to claim 1, wherein the
conveying mechanism control portion extends and retracts the rail
portion, positioning the recording medium delivery mechanism at a
rear end side position of the extendable and retractable rail
portion.
5. The recording medium changer according to claim 1, wherein a
rail support portion for supporting an end side of the extended
rail portion is further provided.
6. The recording medium changer according to claim 1, wherein the
expansion area is configured to be provided as a unit, and the
conveying mechanism control portion obtains, from each unit,
information representing an arrangement state of the slots and the
drive in the expansion area, and determines whether the slots are
provided in an expansion area provided in an extending direction of
the rail portion.
7. The recording medium changer according to claim 6, wherein the
unit outputs information representing a unit connection order to
the conveying mechanism control portion, together with the
information representing an arrangement state.
8. The recording medium changer according to claim 1, wherein the
expansion area is provided in an extending direction of the rail
portion, in a moving direction of the conveying mechanism, so that
the slots or the drive are added, and the expansion area further
includes a user notification unit for notifying a user to arrange
the drives sequentially in a direction from a side opposite to an
arrangement side on which the rail portion is arranged with respect
to the recording medium delivery mechanism, to the arrangement
side.
9. A control method for a recording medium changer including a
plurality of slots for storing recording mediums, a drive for
performing operation using a recording medium, a recording medium
delivery mechanism having a conveying mechanism for conveying the
recording mediums between the plurality of slots and the drive, and
a conveying mechanism control portion for controlling the operation
of the conveying mechanism, the conveying mechanism for delivering
the recording mediums to and from the slots or the drive, and an
extendable and retractable rail portion for moving the recording
medium delivery mechanism to a desired slot, the method comprising
the steps of: determining, by the conveying mechanism control
portion, whether the slot is provided in an expansion area provided
in an extending direction of the rail portion; and performing, by
the conveying mechanism control portion, extension and retraction
operation of the rail portion based on a result of the
determination.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present technology relates to a recording medium changer
and a control method, with which recording mediums are efficiently
stored for changer operation.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, in order to store data of content (e.g.,
image, music, writing, or information of their combinations),
various programs, or the like, a recording medium changer is used.
In the recording medium changer, a plurality of recording mediums
or cartridges storing the recording mediums (hereinafter simply
referred to as "recording mediums") is stored in a housing. In the
recording medium changer, a conveying block conveys and mounts a
desired recording medium to a drive block.
[0003] Further, the recording medium changer is configured to store
a large number of recording mediums. For example, Patent Document 1
discloses a drive block which is fixedly mounted to a housing. The
drive block is disposed behind slots (cells) relative to an
accessor, and the slots for storing mediums has a slot of a size
equal to one medium to be housed, as a medium insertion portion of
a drive block.
CITATION LIST
Patent Document
[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2000-113543
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] However, when the slot of a size equal to one medium is used
as the medium insertion portion of the drive block, a place for
adding slots is limited in front of the drive block, and many slots
cannot be provided in the housing.
[0006] Therefore, in the present technology, a recording medium
changer and a control method with which efficiently store a large
number of recording mediums for changer operation.
Solutions to Problems
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present technology,
[0008] a recording medium changer includes:
[0009] a plurality of slots for storing recording mediums;
[0010] a drive for performing operation using a recording
medium;
[0011] a recording medium delivery mechanism having a conveying
mechanism for conveying the recording mediums between the plurality
of slots and the drive, and a conveying mechanism control portion
for controlling the operation of the conveying mechanism;
[0012] the conveying mechanism delivering the recording mediums to
and from the slots or the drive; and
[0013] an extendable and retractable rail portion for moving the
recording medium delivery mechanism to a desired slot,
[0014] the conveying mechanism control portion determining whether
the slot is provided in an expansion area provided in an extending
direction of the rail portion to perform extension and retraction
operation of the rail portion based on a result of the
determination.
[0015] In the recording medium changer according to the present
technology, the conveying mechanism conveys the recording mediums
between the plurality of slots for storing the recording mediums
and the drive for performing operation using a recording medium.
The conveying mechanism includes the recording medium delivery
mechanism for delivering the recording mediums to and from the
slots or the drive, and the extendable and retractable rail portion
for moving the recording medium delivery mechanism to a desired
slot. The conveying mechanism control portion for controlling the
operation of the conveying mechanism determines whether the slot is
provided in the expansion area provided in the extending direction
of the rail portion, and, for example, when the expansion area is
provided with the slot, and the recording medium delivery mechanism
delivers the recording medium to and from the slot in the expansion
area, the conveying mechanism control portion extends the rail
portion to move the recording medium delivery mechanism to the slot
in the expansion area. For example, when the expansion area is
configured to be provided as a unit, determination whether the
slots are provided in the expansion area is made based on
information representing unit connection order from each unit
output to the conveying mechanism control portion together with
information representing an arrangement state of the slots and the
drive in the expansion area. Further, when moving the conveying
mechanism, the conveying mechanism control portion brings the rail
portion into a retracted state. Further, the conveying mechanism
control portion extends and retracts the rail portion, positioning
the recording medium delivery mechanism at a rear end side position
of the extendable and retractable rail portion. A rail support
portion for supporting the rail portion is provided ahead of an end
of the rail portion being extended. Further, a user notification
unit notifies a user to arrange the drives sequentially in a
direction from a side opposite to an arrangement side on which the
rail portion is arranged with respect to the recording medium
delivery mechanism, to the arrangement side.
[0016] According to a second aspect of the present technology, a
control method for a recording medium changer, including a
plurality of slots for storing recording mediums, a drive for
performing operation using a recording medium, a recording medium
delivery mechanism having a conveying mechanism for conveying the
recording mediums between the plurality of slots and the drive, and
a conveying mechanism control portion for controlling the operation
of the conveying mechanism, the conveying mechanism for delivering
the recording mediums to and from the slots or the drive, and an
extendable and retractable rail portion for moving the recording
medium delivery mechanism to a desired slot,
[0017] the method including the steps of:
[0018] determining, by the conveying mechanism control portion,
whether the slot is provided in an expansion area provided in an
extending direction of the rail portion; and
[0019] performing, by the conveying mechanism control portion,
extension and retraction operation of the rail portion based on a
result of the determination.
Effects of the Invention
[0020] According to the present technology, the conveying mechanism
for conveying the recording mediums between the slots and the drive
is provided with the recording medium delivery mechanism for
delivering the recording mediums to and from the slots or the
drive, and the extendable and retractable rail portion for moving
the recording medium delivery mechanism to a desired slot, the
conveying mechanism control portion determines whether the slot is
provided in the expansion area provided in the extending direction
of the rail portion to perform the extension and retraction
operation of the rail portion based on a result of the
determination. Accordingly, when the slots are added to the
expansion area, recording mediums stored in the added slots can be
used, and the recording mediums are efficiently stored for the
changer operation. It is noted that the effects described in the
present specification are by way of example only and not limited to
the description, and further may have additional effects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a
recording medium changer according to an embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary
configuration of a base unit.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary
configuration of a slot expansion unit.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary
configuration of a drive expansion unit.
[0025] FIG. 5 is an inner side view illustrating an exemplary
configuration of a recording medium changer using a base unit, a
slot expansion unit, and a drive expansion unit (positioning a
conveying block in the base unit).
[0026] FIG. 6 is an inner side view illustrating an exemplary
configuration of the recording medium changer using the base unit,
the slot expansion unit, and the drive expansion unit (positioning
the conveying block in the slot expansion unit).
[0027] FIG. 7 is an inner side view illustrating an exemplary
configuration of the recording medium changer using the base unit,
the slot expansion unit, and the drive expansion unit (positioning
the conveying block in the drive expansion unit).
[0028] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary
configuration of the conveying block (viewed from the front
side).
[0029] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary
configuration of the conveying block (viewed from the back
side).
[0030] FIGS. 10(A) to 10(C) are diagrams illustrating exemplary
configurations of the conveying block (a retracted state of a rail
portion).
[0031] FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C) are diagrams illustrating exemplary
configurations of the conveying block (an extended state of the
rail portion).
[0032] FIG. 12 is a diagram of a support portion of a recording
medium delivery block, viewed from the back side of the recording
medium changer.
[0033] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating operation of the conveying
block.
[0034] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary unit
information acquisition operation.
[0035] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary unit
configuration of the recording medium changer.
[0036] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary control
operation of the conveying block.
[0037] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement
of drive blocks.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0038] A mode for carrying out the present technology will be
described below. The description will be given in the following
order.
[0039] 1. Configuration of Recording Medium Changer
[0040] 2. Configuration of Conveying Block
[0041] 3. Operation of Conveying Block
[0042] 4. Operation of Recording Medium Changer
[0043] 4-1. Unit Information Acquisition Operation
[0044] 4-2. Recording Medium Carriage Operation
[0045] 5. Other Configurations and Operation
1. Configuration of Recording Medium Changer
[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates an appearance of a recording medium
changer according to an embodiment of the present technology. The
recording medium changer 10 includes slots (cells), a drive block,
a conveying block, a control block, a power supply block, and the
like. Further, the recording medium changer 10 has a front surface
provided with an operation portion 101 or a display portion 102.
The operation portion 101 includes a switch or the like for
setting, switching, or the like of the operation of the recording
medium changer. The display portion 102 displays an operation state
of the recording medium changer, various information, or the like.
It is noted that description will be made below, defining a
horizontal direction of the recording medium changer 10 as an X
direction, a depth direction as a Y direction, and a height
direction as a Z direction.
[0047] The recording medium changer 10 is configured to expand
slots or a drive block. For example, the recording medium changer
10 can provide a slot expansion unit 12 to a base unit 11 to add
slots. Further, the recording medium changer 10 can provide a drive
expansion unit 13 to the base unit 11 to add a drive block or slots
and the drive block.
[0048] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary
configuration of the base unit. The base unit 11 includes a door
111, a recording medium transfer portion 112, the slots 15, the
drive block 16, the control block 17, the power supply block 18,
the conveying block 20, and the like.
[0049] When the recording medium 90 is stored into or removed from
the recording medium changer 10, the door 111 is opened and closed
to draw out the recording medium transfer portion 112.
[0050] The recording medium transfer portion 112 transfers the
recording medium between inside and outside the recording medium
changer 10. Specifically, when the recording medium is stored in
the recording medium changer 10, the recording medium is held by
the recording medium transfer portion 112 and moved into the
recording medium changer 10. Further, when the recording medium is
removed from the recording medium changer 10, the recording medium
held by the recording medium transfer portion 112 is moved outside
the recording medium changer 10.
[0051] The slots 15 are, for example, arranged side by side on both
side surfaces of the housing, and each of the slots stores the
recording medium. Each slot 15 is provided so that an
insertion/removal direction of the recording medium 90 is defined
in a direction (X direction) perpendicular to a side surface of the
housing. Further, as described below, the conveying block 20 is
provided to be movable in a vertical direction (Z direction)
between the slots 15 arranged on one side surface and the slots 15
arranged on the other side surface.
[0052] The drive block 16 is provided at a position behind the
slots 15, between the slots 15 arranged on one side surface and the
slots 15 arranged on the other side surface. Further, the drive
block 16 is mounted so that a recording medium insertion hole 161
is directed toward the front side (toward the conveying block
20).
[0053] The conveying block 20 is a conveying mechanism for
conveying the recording medium, and includes a recording medium
delivery block 50. The recording medium delivery block 50 is a
recording medium delivery mechanism for delivering the recording
mediums 90 between the slots 15 and the drive block 16. That is,
the recording medium delivery block 50 performs processing of
removing the recording medium 90 from the slot 15 and temporarily
holding the recording medium 90, and processing of mounting the
held recording medium 90 to the drive block 16. Further, the
recording medium delivery block 50 performs processing of removing
the recording medium 90 ejected from the drive block 16 and
temporarily holding the recording medium 90, and processing of
storing the held recording medium 90 in the slot 15.
[0054] The conveying block 20 causes the recording medium delivery
block 50 to move in a back and forth direction (Y direction), to
position the recording medium delivery block 50 to the position of
a desired slot 15 or a position corresponding to the recording
medium insertion hole 161 of the drive block 16. Further, when the
slot expansion unit 12 or the drive expansion unit 13 is provided,
the conveying block 20 can be moved in the vertical direction (Z
direction) so that the recording medium delivery block 50 is
positioned at a height corresponding to the desired slot 15 or the
drive block 16. Further, the recording medium delivery block 50 is
operated to be moved in a direction of the slot (X direction) and
to be rotated about a vertical axis (Z direction). The recording
medium delivery block 50 is moved in a direction of the slot (X
direction) to change a distance between the recording medium
delivery block 50 and the slot 15, the recording medium 90, or the
like. Further, the recording medium delivery block 50 is operated
to be rotated to orient the recording medium insertion hole 561 of
the recording medium delivery block 50 toward the slot 15 or the
recording medium insertion hole 161 of the drive block 16. It is
noted that, FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the recording medium
insertion hole 561 of the recording medium delivery block 50
oriented to the left side, or in a direction of the slot 15, when
viewing the drive block 16 from the front side of the recording
medium changer 10.
[0055] The control block 17 is a conveying mechanism control
portion for controlling the operation of the conveying block. The
control block 17 controls the operation of the conveying block 20
to perform processing of removing a desired recording medium 90
from a slot 15, and mounting the desired recording medium 90 to a
desired drive block 16, or processing of returning the recording
medium 90 ejected from the drive block 16 to the original slot 15.
Further, the control block also controls the operation of the drive
block or the like. The power supply block 18 supplies power to the
drive block 16, the conveying block 20, and the like of the base
unit 11.
[0056] It is noted that the base unit 11 is provided with a rail
support portion 115 for supporting an end side of a rail portion
described below, when the rail portion is extended.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary
configuration of the slot expansion unit. The slot expansion unit
12 is provided with a door 121, a recording medium transfer portion
122, the slots 15, and the like.
[0058] When the recording medium 90 is stored into or removed from
the recording medium changer 10, the door 121 is opened and closed
to draw out the recording medium transfer portion 122.
[0059] The recording medium transfer portion 122 transfers the
recording medium between inside and outside the recording medium
changer 10. Specifically, when the recording medium is stored in
the recording medium changer 10, the recording medium is held by
the recording medium transfer portion 122 and moved into the
recording medium changer 10. Further, when the recording medium is
removed from the recording medium changer 10, the recording medium
held by the recording medium transfer portion 122 is moved outside
the recording medium changer 10.
[0060] The slots 15 are, for example, arranged into a grid pattern
on both side surfaces of the housing, and each of the slots stores
the recording medium. Each slot 15 is provided so that the
insertion/removal direction of the recording medium 90 is oriented
in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the housing (X
direction in FIG. 1). Further, a space is provided between the
slots 15 arranged on one side surface and the slots 15 arranged on
the other side surface. In the space, the conveying block 20 is
movable in a vertical direction (Z direction in FIG. 1), when the
slot expansion unit 12 is provided to the base unit 11.
[0061] It is noted that the slot expansion unit 12 is provided with
a rail support portion 125 for supporting an end side of a rail
portion described below, when the rail portion is extended.
[0062] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary
configuration of the drive expansion unit. The drive expansion unit
13 is provided with a door 131, a recording medium transfer portion
132, the slot 15, the drive block 16, and the power supply block
18.
[0063] When the recording medium 90 is stored into or removed from
the recording medium changer 10, the door 131 is opened and closed
to draw out the recording medium transfer portion 132.
[0064] The recording medium transfer portion 132 transfers the
recording medium between inside and outside the recording medium
changer 10. Specifically, when the recording medium is stored in
the recording medium changer 10, the recording medium is held by
the recording medium transfer portion 132 and moved into the
recording medium changer 10. Further, when the recording medium is
removed from the recording medium changer 10, the recording medium
held by the recording medium transfer portion 132 is moved outside
the recording medium changer 10.
[0065] The slots 15 are, for example, arranged into a grid pattern
on both side surfaces of the housing, and each of the slots stores
the recording medium. Each slot 15 is provided so that the
insertion/removal direction of the recording medium 90 is oriented
in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the housing (X
direction in FIG. 1). Further, a space is provided between the
slots 15 arranged on one side surface and the slots 15 arranged on
the other side surface. In the space, the conveying block 20 is
movable in a vertical direction (Z direction in FIG. 1), when the
drive expansion unit 13 is provided to the base unit 11.
[0066] The drive block 16 is provided at a position behind the
slots 15, between the slots 15 arranged on one side surface and the
slots 15 arranged on the other side surface. Further, the drive
block 16 is mounted so that a recording medium insertion hole 161
is directed toward the front side (toward the conveying block 20).
The power supply block 18 supplies power to the drive block 16 and
the like of the drive expansion unit 13.
[0067] The base unit 11, the slot expansion unit 12, and the drive
expansion unit 13 are provided with a guide mechanism 19, for
example racks 191 and guide plates 192, for moving the conveying
block 20 over the units. The recording medium changer 10 moves the
conveying block 20 to positions in the slot expansion unit 12 and
the drive expansion unit 13, in addition to the base unit 11, using
the guide mechanism 19. Accordingly, the recording medium changer
10 can convey the recording medium 90 stored in any of the slots 15
of the base unit 11, the slot expansion unit 12, and the drive
expansion unit 13 to the drive block 16 of the base unit 11 or the
drive expansion unit 13. Further, the recording medium changer 10
can return the recording medium ejected from the drive block 16 to
the original slot 15.
[0068] Further, the recording medium changer 10 conveys the
recording medium 90 between the slot 15 and the recording medium
transfer portion 112, 122, or 132, and the recording medium can be
stored in the recording medium changer 10 or the stored recording
medium can be removed from the recording medium changer 10.
[0069] FIGS. 5 to 7 are inner side views illustrating exemplary
configurations of the recording medium changer using the base unit,
the slot expansion unit, and the drive expansion unit. It is noted
that FIG. 5 illustrates the conveying block positioned in the base
unit. FIG. 6 illustrates the conveying block positioned in the slot
expansion unit, and FIG. 7 illustrates the conveying block
positioned in the drive expansion unit.
[0070] The recording medium changer 10 delivers the recording
mediums 90 between the slots 15 of the base unit 11, and the
recording medium delivery block 50. In this configuration, as
illustrated in FIG. 5, the recording medium changer 10 moves the
conveying block 20 in a direction (Z direction in FIG. 1) in which
the recording medium delivery block 50 has a height equal to that
of the desired slot 15, using the racks 191. Further, the recording
medium changer 10 moves the recording medium delivery block 50 in a
depth direction (Y direction in FIG. 1) so that the recording
medium delivery block 50 is positioned to face the desired slot
15.
[0071] Further, the recording medium changer 10 delivers the
recording mediums 90 between the slots 15 of the slot expansion
unit 12 and the recording medium delivery block 50. In this
configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the recording medium
changer 10 moves the conveying block 20 in a direction (Z direction
in FIG. 1) in which the recording medium delivery block 50 has a
height equal to that of the desired slot, using the racks 191.
Further, the recording medium changer 10 moves the recording medium
delivery block 50 in a depth direction (Y direction in FIG. 1) so
that the recording medium delivery block 50 is positioned to face
the desired slot 15. It is noted that, in the conveying block 20,
the rail portion 31 is configured to be extended and retracted so
that the recording medium delivery block 50 can move to a position
at which the recording medium delivery block 50 faces the desired
slot. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the rail portion 31 is
extended and retracted, an end of the rail portion 31 is supported
by the rail support portion 125.
[0072] Further, the recording medium changer 10 delivers the
recording mediums 90 between the slots 15 of the drive expansion
unit 13 and the recording medium delivery block 50. In this
configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the recording medium
changer 10 moves the conveying block 20 in a direction (Z direction
in FIG. 1) in which the recording medium delivery block 50 has a
height equal to that of the desired slot, using the racks 191.
Further, the recording medium changer 10 moves the recording medium
delivery block 50 in a depth direction (Y direction in FIG. 1) so
that the recording medium delivery block 50 is positioned to face
the desired slot.
[0073] Further, the conveying block 20, and the control block 17
and the power supply block 18 of the base unit 11 are connected by
a cable 81, and communication or power supply is performed through
the cable 81.
[0074] It is noted that the recording medium changer 10 is not
limited to the configuration including the base unit 11, the slot
expansion unit 12, and the drive expansion unit 13, as described
above. For example, the recording medium changer 10 may have a
configuration using a housing having a predetermined size, and
internally provided with an area corresponding to the base unit, or
an area corresponding to the slot expansion unit and/or the drive
expansion unit.
2. Configuration of Conveying Block
[0075] Next, a configuration of the conveying block 20 will be
described. FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views illustrating
exemplary configurations of the conveying block 20. FIG. 8 is a
perspective view of the conveying block 20, viewed from the front
side of the recording medium changer 10, and FIG. 9 is a
perspective view of the conveying block 20, viewed from the back
side of the recording medium changer 10. FIGS. 10(A) to 10(C) and
FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C) are diagrams illustrating exemplary
configurations of the conveying block, FIGS. 10(A) to 10(C)
illustrate retracted states of the rail portion, and FIGS. 11(A) to
11(C) illustrate extended states of the rail portion. It is noted
that FIGS. 10(A) and 11(A) are exemplary plan views, FIGS. 10(B)
and 11(B) are exemplary right side views, and FIGS. 10(C) and 11(C)
are exemplary bottom views. FIG. 12 is a diagram of a support
portion of the recording medium delivery block 50, viewed from the
back side of the recording medium changer 10.
[0076] The conveying block 20 has a conveying block chassis 21
provided with a conveying block moving mechanism, the rail portion,
and a rail moving mechanism.
[0077] The conveying block moving mechanism includes a conveying
block moving motor 221, drive transmitting portions 222F and 222R,
guide rollers 223F and 223R, and the like.
[0078] The conveying block moving motor 221 generates a driving
force for moving the conveying block 20 in a vertical direction (Z
direction in FIG. 1). The drive transmitting portion 222F includes,
for example, a plurality of gears, and a driven gear (pinion) 222Fg
is provided to be meshed with a rack 191F of a guide portion 19F
provided in the base unit 11, the slot expansion unit 12, and the
drive expansion unit 13. The drive transmitting portion 222R
includes, for example, a plurality of gears, and a driven gear
(pinion) 222Rg is provided to be meshed with a rack 191R of a guide
portion 19R provided in the base unit 11, the slot expansion unit
12, and the drive expansion unit 13. Accordingly, the conveying
block 20 is moved in a vertical direction according to rotation of
the driven gears (pinions) 222Fg and 222Rg of the drive
transmitting portions 222F and 222R by the conveying block moving
motor 221.
[0079] A pair of guide rollers 223F holds a guide plate 192F of a
guide portion 19F between the guide rollers. The other guide roller
223F moves in a guide groove of the guide plate 192F. The guide
roller 223R moves in a guide groove of a guide plate 192R of the
guide portion 19R. Accordingly, when moving in the vertical
direction, the conveying block 20 is positioned at an appropriate
position by the guide rollers 223F and 223R.
[0080] The rail portion 31 has a side surface on which a rack 311
for driving the rail portion 31 in a rail longitudinal direction (Y
direction in FIG. 1) is formed. The rail portion 31 has a surface
on the recording medium delivery block side, on which a rack 312
and a guide 313 are formed for moving a recording medium delivery
block base 40 described below in the rail longitudinal direction.
The rail portion 31 has an opposite surface side on which a guide
receiving portion (not illustrated) is formed. The guide receiving
portion is fitted to embrace a slide guide 211 provided at the
conveying block chassis 21 in the rail longitudinal direction, and
holds the rail portion 31 to be extended and retracted in the rail
longitudinal direction. The rack 311 is meshed with a driven gear
(pinion) 322g of a drive transmitting portion 322 constituting the
rail moving mechanism. Further, the rack 312 is meshed with a
driven gear (pinion) 402g of a drive transmitting portion 402
constituting a recording medium delivery block base-moving
mechanism described below.
[0081] The rail moving mechanism includes a rail moving motor 321
and the drive transmitting portion 322 mounted to the conveying
block chassis 21, and the rack 311 provided at the rail portion 31,
and the like.
[0082] The rail moving motor 321 generates a driving force for
moving the rail portion 31 in the rail longitudinal direction. The
drive transmitting portion 322 includes, for example, a plurality
of gears, and the driven gear (pinion) 322g is meshed with the rack
311 of the rail portion 31. Accordingly, the rail portion 31 is
moved in the rail longitudinal direction according to the rotation
of the driven gear (pinion) 322g of the drive transmitting portion
322 by the rail moving motor 321. At this time, the guide receiving
portion of the rail portion 31 slides while fitting with the slide
guide 211.
[0083] The rail portion 31 is provided with the recording medium
delivery block base 40 moving on the rail in the rail longitudinal
direction. The recording medium delivery block base 40 is provided
with a recording medium delivery block holding portion 45 for
holding the recording medium delivery block 50 to be turned about a
vertical axis (Z direction in FIG. 1). Further, the recording
medium delivery block holding portion 45 is provided to be moved
relative to the recording medium delivery block base 40, in a
direction perpendicular to the rail longitudinal direction (X
direction in FIG. 1).
[0084] Further, the conveying block 20 is provided with the
recording medium delivery block base moving mechanism, a recording
medium delivery block holding portion moving mechanism, and a
recording medium delivery block rotating mechanism.
[0085] The recording medium delivery block base moving mechanism
moves the recording medium delivery block base 40 in the rail
longitudinal direction. The recording medium delivery block
base-moving mechanism includes a recording medium delivery block
base moving motor 401 and the drive transmitting portion 402
mounted to the recording medium delivery block base 40, the rack
311 provided at the rail portion 31, and the like.
[0086] The recording medium delivery block base moving motor 401
generates a driving force for moving the recording medium delivery
block base 40 in the rail longitudinal direction. As illustrated in
FIG. 12, the drive transmitting portion 402 includes, for example,
a plurality of gears, and the driven gear (pinion) 402g is meshed
with the rack 312 of the rail portion 31 of FIG. 8 and the like.
Further, the recording medium delivery block base 40 is provided
with the guide receiving portion 405 of FIG. 12, and the guide
receiving portion 405 is fitted to embrace the guide 313 of the
rail portion 31. Accordingly, the recording medium delivery block
base 40 moves on the rail portion in the rail longitudinal
direction (Y direction in FIG. 1), according to the rotation of the
driven gear (pinion) 402g of the drive transmitting portion 402 by
the recording medium delivery block base moving motor 401. At this
time, a guide receiving portion 405 of the recording medium
delivery block base 40 slides while fitting with the guide 313.
[0087] The recording medium delivery block holding portion moving
mechanism moves the recording medium delivery block holding portion
45 relative to the recording medium delivery block base 40, in a
direction perpendicular to the rail longitudinal direction (X
direction in FIG. 1). The recording medium delivery block holding
portion moving mechanism includes a holding portion moving motor
411, a drive transmitting portion 412, and a feed screw 413 mounted
to the recording medium delivery block base 40, a nut 451 provided
at the recording medium delivery block holding portion 45, and the
like.
[0088] The holding portion moving motor 411 of FIG. 12 generates a
driving force for moving the recording medium delivery block
holding portion 45 relative to the recording medium delivery block
base 40, in a direction perpendicular to the rail longitudinal
direction. The drive transmitting portion 412 includes, for
example, a plurality of gears, and the feed screw 413 is
concentrically mounted to a driven gear. Accordingly, the nut 451
of the recording medium delivery block holding portion 45 is moved
in an axial direction of the feed screw 413 according to the
rotation of the driven gear of the drive transmitting portion 412
by the holding portion moving motor 411.
[0089] A cylindrical bearing portion 452 is mounted to the nut 451
of the recording medium delivery block holding portion 45. The
bearing portion 452 has an outer peripheral surface on which a
tooth portion 452g is formed.
[0090] The recording medium delivery block 50 has a rotation shaft
501 inserted into the bearing portion 452 of the recording medium
delivery block holding portion 45, and rotatably held by the
recording medium delivery block holding portion 45.
[0091] The recording medium delivery block 50 is provided with the
recording medium delivery block rotating mechanism for rotating the
recording medium delivery block 50 about the rotation shaft 501.
The recording medium delivery block rotating mechanism includes a
recording medium delivery block rotation driving motor (not
illustrated) and a drive transmitting portion 502 which are mounted
to the recording medium delivery block 50, and the bearing portion
452 of the recording medium delivery block holding portion 45, and
the like.
[0092] The recording medium delivery block rotation driving motor
generates a driving force for rotating the recording medium
delivery block 50. The drive transmitting portion 502 includes, for
example, a plurality of gears, and a driven gear is meshed with the
tooth portion 452g of the bearing portion 452. Accordingly, the
recording medium delivery block 50 rotates about the rotation shaft
501, according to the rotation of the driven gear of the drive
transmitting portion 502 by the recording medium delivery block
rotation driving motor.
[0093] Further, the conveying block 20 is provided with a cable
processing block 70 for winding or unwinding the cable 81 when the
conveying block 20 is moved in the vertical direction by the
conveying block moving mechanism.
[0094] It is noted that the rail moving mechanism, the recording
medium delivery block base moving mechanism, the recording medium
delivery block holding portion moving mechanism, and the recording
medium delivery block rotating mechanism in the conveying block 20
are not limited to the above-mentioned configurations. For example,
the drive transmitting portion is not limited to have the plurality
of gears, and may have another configuration. Further, the motor
may be provided at the other member or the like.
3. Operation of Conveying Block
[0095] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating operation of the conveying
block. In the conveying block 20, the above-mentioned rail moving
mechanism can move the rail portion 31 in a direction indicated by
an arrow FA. In the conveying block 20, the above-mentioned
recording medium delivery block base moving mechanism can move the
recording medium delivery block 50 on the rail portion 31 in a
direction indicated by an arrow FB. Further, in the conveying block
20, the recording medium delivery block holding portion moving
mechanism can move the recording medium delivery block 50 in a
direction indicated by an arrow FC. Still further, in the conveying
block 20, the recording medium delivery block rotating mechanism
can rotate the recording medium delivery block 50 in a direction
indicated by an arrow FD.
[0096] Accordingly, in the conveying block 20, the recording medium
delivery block 50 can be moved to a position of a desired slot, by
the rail moving mechanism and the recording medium delivery block
base moving mechanism. Further, in the conveying block 20, the
recording medium insertion hole of the recording medium delivery
block 50 is oriented toward the desired slot 15 or the recording
medium insertion hole of the drive block 16, by the recording
medium delivery block rotating mechanism. Further, in the conveying
block 20, when the recording medium insertion hole 561 of the
recording medium delivery block 50 is directed toward the desired
slot 15, the recording medium delivery block holding portion moving
mechanism can move the recording medium delivery block 50 in the
recording medium insertion/removal direction of the slot 15.
Further, in the conveying block 20, when the recording medium
delivery block 50 and the recording medium insertion hole of the
drive block 16 face each other, the recording medium delivery block
holding portion moving mechanism can move the recording medium
delivery block 50 to a position of the recording medium insertion
hole 161 of a desired drive block 16. It is noted that, when the
recording medium delivery block 50 is positioned at a desired
position by the conveying block 20, the recording medium delivery
block 50 delivers the recording medium to and from the slot 15 or
the drive block 16.
4. Operation of Recording Medium Changer
[0097] In the recording medium changer 10 as described above, when
the slot expansion unit 12 or the drive expansion unit 13 is
provided, the slots 15 or the drive block 16 can be added. Further,
in the recording medium changer 10, the recording medium changer 10
may have a housing of a fixed size to add the slots 15 or the drive
block 16. Still further, the recording medium changer 10 may be
configured to change the slots 15 to the drive block 16 or the
drive block 16 to the slots 15. As described above, when the slots
15 or the drive block 16 can be added or changed, the recording
medium changer 10 drives the conveying block 20, in consideration
of arrangement of the slots 15 or the drive block 16 after the
addition or change.
4-1. Unit Information Acquisition Operation
[0098] The slot expansion unit 12 and the drive expansion unit 13
used for the recording medium changer 10 are each provided with a
control sub-block. The control sub-block communicates with the
control block 17 provided at the base unit 11, and provides, to the
control block 17, unit information including information about the
expansion unit, for example, information representing an
arrangement state or the like of the slots or the drive block. The
control block 17 determines, for example, the arrangement of the
slots 15 or the drive block 16 in the recording medium changer 10,
or whether the slots are provided in the expansion area provided in
the extending direction of the rail portion, based on the unit
information supplied from the control sub-block of each expansion
unit, and controls the drive of the conveying block 20.
[0099] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary unit
information acquisition operation which is performed when the
recording medium changer 10 is brought into a power-on state from a
power-off state. It is assumed that the recording medium changer 10
has, for example as illustrated in FIG. 15, a total of n units,
i.e., one base unit 11 and (n-1) expansion units 14-1 to
14-(n-1).
[0100] In step ST1, the control block resets unit connection order
information. The unit connection order information is, for example,
information representing a unit connection order indicating where
the unit is connected relative to the base unit, and when brought
into the power-on state, the control block 17 resets the unit
connection order information of each control sub-block, and
proceeds to step ST2.
[0101] In step ST2, the control block sets the unit connection
order information to the first unit. Here, the control block 17
defines the base unit as the first unit, and causes a control
sub-block of the base unit to store unit connection order
information "UT1" indicating the first unit, and proceeds to step
ST3.
[0102] In step ST3, the control sub-block of the first unit sets
the unit connection order information to the second unit. The
control sub-block of the first unit defines an unset unit to which
the unit connection order information is not set, as the second
unit. The control sub-block of the first unit causes the control
sub-block of the unset unit to store unit connection order
information "UT2" indicating the second unit, and proceeds to step
ST4. It is noted that, in a configuration illustrated in FIG. 15,
the expansion unit 14-1 is defined as the second unit.
[0103] In step ST4, the control sub-block of the second unit sets
the unit connection order information to the third unit. The
control sub-block of the second unit defines an unset unit to which
the unit connection order information is not set, as the third
unit. Further, the control sub-block of the second unit causes the
control sub-block of the unset unit to store unit connection order
information "UT3" indicating the third unit, and proceeds to the
next step. It is noted that, in the configuration illustrated in
FIG. 15, the expansion unit 14-2 is defined as the third unit.
[0104] Hereinafter, the similar processing is performed in each
unit, and in step ST5, the control sub-block of the (n-1)th unit
sets the unit connection order information to the n-th unit. The
control sub-block of the (n-1)th unit defines an unset unit to
which the unit connection order information is not set, as the n-th
unit. Further, the control sub-block of the (n-1)th unit causes the
control sub-block of the unset unit to store unit connection order
information "UTn" indicating the n-th unit, and proceeds to the
next step ST6. It is noted that, in the configuration illustrated
in FIG. 15, the expansion unit 14-(n-2) is defined as the (n-1)th
unit, and the expansion unit 14-(n-1) as the n-th unit.
[0105] In step ST6, the control sub-block of the n-th unit reports
the unit information to the (n-1)th unit. The control sub-block of
the n-th unit associates the unit connection order information
"UTn" with the unit information of the n-th unit, reports the
information to the control sub-block of the (n-1)th unit, and
proceeds to step ST7.
[0106] In step ST7, the control sub-block of the (n-1)th unit
reports the unit information to the (n-2)th unit. The control
sub-block of the (n-1)th unit associates unit connection order
information "UTn-1" with the unit information of the (n-1)th unit.
The control sub-block of the (n-1)th unit reports the unit
information to the control sub-block of the (n-2)th unit together
with the unit information supplied from another unit, and proceeds
to the next step. It is noted that the unit information supplied
from the another unit is the unit connection order information
"UTn" and the unit information of the n-th unit.
[0107] Hereinafter, the similar processing is performed in each
unit, and in step ST8, the control sub-block of the second unit
sets the unit information to the first unit. The control sub-block
of the second unit associates the unit connection order information
"UT2" with the unit information of the second unit. The control
sub-block of the second unit reports the unit information to the
control sub-block of the first unit together with the unit
information supplied from the other units, and proceeds to step
ST9. It is noted that the unit information supplied from the other
units is the unit connection order information "UTn" to "UT3", and
the unit information of the n-th to third units.
[0108] In step ST9, the control sub-block of the first unit reports
the unit information to the control block. The control sub-block of
the first unit associates the unit connection order information
"UT1" with the unit information of the first unit. The control
sub-block of the first unit reports the unit information to the
control block 17, together with the unit information (the unit
connection order information "UTn" to "UT2" and the unit
information of the n-th to second units) supplied from the other
units, and the process ends.
[0109] When processing is performed as described above, the control
sub-block of a preceding unit sets the unit connection order
information to the control sub-block of the succeeding unit.
Further, the unit connection order information and the unit
information of the unit is added to the information supplied from
the control sub-block of the succeeding unit, and the information
is sequentially transmitted to the control sub-block of a preceding
unit. Accordingly, the control block 17 can determine how the slots
15 or the drive block 16 are arranged in the recording medium
changer 10, based on the unit connection order information and the
unit information supplied from each unit. Further, the conveying
block 20 is driven based on a result of the determination, so that
even if the configuration of the recording medium changer 10 is
changed, a desired recording medium 90 can be transmitted
appropriately, for example, between the slot 15 and the drive block
16, corresponding to a configuration having been changed.
4-2. Recording Medium Carriage Operation
[0110] Next, the control block 17 determines a configuration of the
recording medium changer, based on the obtained unit connection
order information and the unit information, and controls the
conveying block 20 based on a result of the determination. It is
noted that, in the following description, a slot 15 allowing
delivery of the recording medium 90 by the recording medium
delivery block 50 without moving the rail portion 31 in the depth
direction (Y direction in FIG. 1) is defined as a base area slot.
Further, a slot 15 in an expansion area positioned ahead of the end
of the rail portion 31 and allowing delivery of the recording
medium 90 by moving the rail portion 31 in the depth direction is
defined as a rear side expansion area slot.
[0111] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary control
operation of the conveying block. In step ST21, the control block
determines whether an object is the rear side expansion area slot.
The control block 17 determines whether a slot 15 as the object to
and from which the recording medium 90 is delivered is the rear
side expansion area slot or the base area slot. When the object is
the rear side expansion area slot, the control block 17 proceeds to
step ST22, and when the object is the base area slot, the control
block 17 proceeds to step ST27.
[0112] In step ST22, the control block moves the conveying block 20
while retracting the rail portion. When the control block 17 moves
the conveying block 20 in the vertical direction (Z direction in
FIG. 1) while extending the rail portion 31, the rail portion 31
may abut against the drive block 16. Therefore, when the slot 15 as
the object to and from which the recording medium 90 is delivered
is the rear side expansion area slot, the control block 17 starts
to move the conveying block 20 in the vertical direction, after
retracting the rail portion 31, and proceeds to step ST23.
[0113] In step ST23, the control block determines whether the
conveying block 20 moves to a position corresponding to the slot as
the object. When the recording medium delivery block 50 of the
conveying block 20 moves to a height at which the recording medium
delivery block 50 faces the slot 15 as the object, the control
block 17 proceeds to step ST24. Further, when the recording medium
delivery block 50 of the conveying block 20 does not move to the
height at which the recording medium delivery block 50 faces the
slot 15 as the object, the control block 17 returns to step
ST22.
[0114] In step ST24, the control block extends the rail portion.
The control block 17 extends the rail portion 31 to move the
recording medium delivery block 50 of the conveying block 20 to a
position of the slot 15 as the object in a rear side expansion
area, and proceeds to step ST25.
[0115] In step ST25, the control block performs recording medium
delivery processing. The control block 17 moves the recording
medium delivery block 50 of the conveying block 20 to the position
of the slot 15 as the object in the rear side expansion area. When
the recording medium 90 is conveyed to the drive block 16 from the
slot 15 as the object, the control block 17 causes the recording
medium delivery block to remove the recording medium 90 stored in
the slot 15, and hold the recording medium 90 in the recording
medium delivery block. Further, when the recording medium 90 is
conveyed from the drive block 16 to the slot 15 as the object, the
control block 17 stores the recording medium 90 held in the
recording medium delivery block, in the slot 15 as the object, and
proceeds to step ST26.
[0116] In step ST26, the control block retracts the rail portion.
When the transfer of the recording medium 90 to and from the slot
15 as the object is finished, the control block 17 retracts the
rail portion 31, and returns to step ST21.
[0117] When the process proceeds from step ST21 to step ST27, the
control block moves while retracting the rail portion. Since the
object is the base area slot, the control block 17 can move the
recording medium delivery block 50 of the conveying block 20 to the
position of the slot 15 as the object without extending the rail
portion 31. Accordingly, the control block 17 starts to move the
conveying block 20 in the vertical direction while retracting the
rail portion, and proceeds to step ST28.
[0118] In step ST28, the control block determines whether the
conveying block 20 moves to a position corresponding to the slot as
the object. When the recording medium delivery block 50 of the
conveying block 20 moves to the height at which the recording
medium delivery block 50 faces the slot 15 as the object, the
control block 17 proceeds to step ST29. Further, when the recording
medium delivery block 50 of the conveying block 20 does not moves
to the height at which the recording medium delivery block 50 faces
the slot 15 as the object, the control block 17 returns to step
ST27.
[0119] In step ST29, the control block performs recording medium
delivery processing. The control block 17 moves the recording
medium delivery block 50 of the conveying block 20 to the position
of the slot 15 as the object in the base area. When the recording
medium 90 is conveyed to the drive block 16 from the slot 15 as the
object, the control block 17 causes the recording medium delivery
block to remove the recording medium 90 stored in the slot 15, and
hold the recording medium 90 in the recording medium delivery
block. Further, when the recording medium 90 is conveyed from the
drive block 16 to the slot 15 as the object, the control block 17
stores the recording medium 90 held in the recording medium
delivery block, in the slot 15 as the object, and proceeds to step
ST21.
[0120] Further, when the recording medium 90 is delivered to and
from the drive block 16, the drive block 16 is provided in the
expansion area positioned ahead of the end of the rail portion 31.
Accordingly, the control block 17 moves the conveying block 20 in
the vertical direction while retracting the rail portion 31. As
described above, when the rail portion 31 is moved in the vertical
direction while being retracted, the rail portion 31 can be
prevented from making contact with the drive block 16 or the
like.
[0121] As described above, when the rail portion 31 is configured
to be extended and retracted, even if the slot expansion unit is
provided or the drive block 16 is changed to the slots 15 and the
rear side expansion area slot is provided, the rail portion 31 can
be extended to deliver the recording medium to and from the rear
side expansion area slot. Accordingly, for example, a large number
of recording mediums 90 are efficiently stored for changer
operation.
5. Other Configurations and Operation
[0122] Incidentally, when the rail portion 31 has insufficient
rigidity or the like, moving the recording medium delivery block 50
toward the end side of the rail portion 31 (rearmost side), while
extending the rail portion 31, causes bending of the end of the
rail portion 31 downward by the weight of the recording medium
delivery block 50 or the like. Further, when the rail portion 31 is
bent downward, even if the conveying block 20 is moved to the
desired position, the recording medium delivery block 50 moved to
the end of the rail portion 31 is located at a position shifted
downward from the position of the recording medium 90. Therefore,
the recording medium delivery block 50 may not deliver the
recording medium 90 appropriately.
[0123] Therefore, in order to deliver the recording medium to and
from the rear side expansion area slot, for example as illustrated
in FIG. 6, the rail support portions 115 and 125 are provided at a
position corresponding to the end of the rail portion 31 (back side
of the housing), when the rail portion 31 is extended. The rail
support portions may be previously provided for slots having
different heights to handle provision of the rear side expansion
area slots. When the rail support portion is configured as
described above, even if the rigidity of the rail portion 31 or the
like is not fully increased, the end of the rail portion 31 is
prevented from being bent downward by the weight of the recording
medium delivery block 50 or the like. Accordingly, the recording
medium 90 can be appropriately delivered.
[0124] Further, the recording medium delivery block 50 is
positioned at a rear end side position of the rail portion 31
(front side of the housing), and after the movement of the rail is
finished, the recording medium delivery block 50 is moved. When
configured as described above, the rail portion 31 is not extended
or retracted, while the recording medium delivery block 50 is
positioned on the end side of the rail portion 31, so that the rail
portion 31 can be stably extended or retracted.
[0125] Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11(C), when the
recording medium delivery block 50 moves on the rail portion, a
space for the conveying block 20 or the rail portion 31 is required
under the desired slot 15. Accordingly, when a drive block 16 is
added in this space, the added drive block 16 obstructs extension
of the rail portion 31, and the recording medium 90 cannot be
delivered to and from the slot 15 positioned in an area adjacently
above the drive block 16. Accordingly, the drive block 16 is added
sequentially in a direction from a position of the recording medium
delivery block 50 to a position of the rail portion, that is, when
the rail portion 31 is below the recording medium delivery block
50, the drive blocks 16 are add sequentially in a direction from
the upper side to the lower side in the housing. When the drive
blocks 16 are added as described above, a large number of recording
mediums 90 are efficiently stored for a changer operation.
Additionally, when the drive blocks 16 have different sizes in
depth direction (Y direction in FIG. 1), the drive block 16 having
a smaller size is positioned on the lower side, and the slots 15
are provided by a reduction in size of the drive block 16 in the
depth direction. Accordingly, a larger number of recording mediums
90 are efficiently stored for changer operation.
[0126] Further, addition of the slots 15 or the type of drive block
16 increased is detected by a sensor, a switch, or the like, and
the unit information is generated by the control sub-block based on
a result of the detection. When configured as described above, the
control block 17 can determine a condition of the added slot 15 or
drive block 16, based on the unit information. Accordingly, even if
the configuration of the recording medium changer 10 is changed,
the control block 17 can control the operation of the conveying
block 20 according to a changed state based on the unit
information.
[0127] Further, the control block 17 can determine whether the
drive block 16 is added, based on the unit information from each
control sub-block. Accordingly, arrangement of the drive block 16
may be notified to the user so that a larger number of slots 15 for
delivering the recording mediums 90 are provided. That is, the
expansion area is provided in an extending direction of the rail
portion 31, in a moving direction of the conveying block 20 (Z
direction in FIG. 1), and the slot 15 or the drive block 16 can be
added. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the user is notified to add the
drive blocks 16 sequentially in a direction indicated by an arrow
FT, from a side opposite to an arrangement side on which the rail
portion 31 is arranged with respect to the recording medium
delivery block 50, to the arrangement side, in the expansion area.
The notification to the user is performed using, for example, the
display portion 102 as a user notification unit. Alternatively, the
notification to the user may be performed using sound or the
like.
[0128] Owing to performance of such notification, in the recording
medium changer 10, the drive block 16 can be added so that the
recording medium delivery block 50 is moved by extending the rail
portion 31 to a position of the slot 15 provided in the expansion
area in the extension direction of the rail portion 31.
Accordingly, a larger number of slots 15 and drive blocks 16 can be
efficiently arranged. Further, when the drive blocks 16 have
different sizes in the extension direction of the rail portion 31,
the drive blocks are arranged sequentially in a direction indicated
by an arrow FT, from the drive block having a larger size in the
extending direction, as illustrated in FIG. 17. When configured as
described above, the slots 15 and the drive blocks 16 can be
efficiently arranged. Further, when the drive blocks 16 are
arranged as descried above, the expansion units in FIG. 15 has a
configuration in which the slot expansion unit is provided between
the base unit and the drive expansion unit.
[0129] It is noted that the above-mentioned control block 17 has a
configuration for obtaining the unit information from the control
sub-blocks, but a signal of the switch or the like may be supplied
to the control block 17 to determine the configuration of the
recording medium changer 10.
[0130] Further, the present technology should not be interpreted as
being limited to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present
technology. The embodiment of the present technology discloses the
present technology in the form of example, and it is apparent that
modifications and substitutions of the embodiment can be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
present technology. That is, reference is to be made to the
following claims to determine the scope of the present
technology.
[0131] Further, the present technology may have the following
configurations.
[0132] (1) A recording medium changer including:
[0133] a plurality of slots for storing recording mediums;
[0134] a drive for performing operation using a recording
medium;
[0135] a recording medium delivery mechanism having a conveying
mechanism for conveying the recording mediums between the plurality
of slots and the drive, and a conveying mechanism control portion
for controlling the operation of the conveying mechanism,
[0136] the conveying mechanism for delivering the recording mediums
to and from the slots or the drive; and
[0137] an extendable and retractable rail portion for moving the
recording medium delivery mechanism to a desired slot,
[0138] the conveying mechanism control portion determining whether
the slot is provided in an expansion area provided in an extending
direction of the rail portion to perform extension and retraction
operation of the rail portion based on a result of the
determination.
[0139] (2) The recording medium changer according to (1) in which,
when the slots are provided in the expansion area, and the
recording medium delivery mechanism delivers a recording medium to
and from a slot in the expansion area, the conveying mechanism
control portion extends the rail portion.
[0140] (3) The recording medium changer according to (1) or (2), in
which, when the conveying mechanism is moved, the conveying
mechanism control portion retracts the rail portion.
[0141] (4) The recording medium changer according to any one of (1)
to (3), in which the conveying mechanism control portion extends
and retracts the rail portion, positioning the recording medium
delivery mechanism at a rear end side position of the extendable
and retractable rail portion.
[0142] (5) The recording medium changer according to any one of (1)
to (4), in which a rail support portion for supporting an end side
of the extended rail portion is further provided.
[0143] (6) The recording medium changer according to any one of (1)
to (5), in which the expansion area is configured to be provided as
a unit,
[0144] and the conveying mechanism control portion obtains, from
each unit, information representing an arrangement state of the
slots and the drive in the expansion area, and determines whether
the slots are provided in an expansion area provided in an
extending direction of the rail portion.
[0145] (7) The recording medium changer according to (6), in which
the unit outputs information representing a unit connection order
to the conveying mechanism control portion, together with the
information representing an arrangement state.
[0146] (8) The recording medium changer according to any one of (1)
to (7) further including a user notification unit for notifying a
user to arrange the drives in the expansion area sequentially in a
direction from the position of the recording medium delivery
mechanism to the position of the rail portion.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0147] In the recording medium changer according to the present
technology, the conveying mechanism for conveying the recording
mediums between the slots and the drive is provided with the
recording medium delivery mechanism for delivering the recording
mediums to and from the slots or the drive, and the extendable and
retractable rail portion for moving the recording medium delivery
mechanism to a desired slot, the conveying mechanism control
portion determines whether the slot is provided in the expansion
area provided in the extending direction of the rail portion to
perform the extension and retraction operation of the rail portion
based on a result of the determination. Therefore, when the slots
are added in the expansion area, the recording mediums stored in
the added slots can be used, so that the recording mediums are
efficiently stored for changer operation. Accordingly, the
recording medium changer according to the present technology is
suitable for a recording medium changer storing, in slots,
recording mediums such as tapes or disks, semiconductor memories,
or cartridges storing them, and the cartridges storing the
recording mediums, and selectively using a recording medium stored
in a slot.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0148] 10 Recording medium changer [0149] 11 Base unit [0150] 12
Slot expansion unit [0151] 13 Drive expansion unit [0152] 14-1 to
14-(n-1) Expansion unit [0153] 15 Slot [0154] 16 Drive block [0155]
17 Control block [0156] 18 Power supply block [0157] 20 Conveying
block [0158] 21 Conveying block chassis [0159] 31 Rail portion
[0160] 32 Drive transmitting portion [0161] 40 Recording medium
delivery block base [0162] 45 Recording medium delivery block
holding portion [0163] 50 Recording medium delivery block [0164] 81
Cable [0165] 90 Recording medium [0166] 115, 125 Rail support
portion [0167] 211 Slide guide [0168] 221 Conveying block moving
motor [0169] 222F, 222R Drive transmitting portion [0170] 311, 312
Rack [0171] 313 Guide [0172] 321 Rail moving motor [0173] 322 Drive
transmitting portion
* * * * *